Job Description

The Head of Operations will lead the Equine and Community operations of Mane Chance Sanctuary, managing the team to ensure they provide the best possible care for our beneficiaries. As the main point of contact for external visitors, including community groups and suppliers, the Head of Operations will manage the diary, organising people and resources as appropriate.

It will be essential to demonstrate experience in managing a diverse team, encouraging engagement and co-operation across different functional areas. The ideal candidate will have experience working with horses and vulnerable people though the team will include direct reports with appropriate expertise in all areas of activity. 

Key Responsibilities

1.1. To line manage the Groom and Community teams, enabling them to deliver the front-line work of the Charity.
1.2. To support the General Manager as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and help to deliver the Charity’s objectives.
1.3. Act as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in support of the Designated Safeguarding Lead in all matters regarding Safeguarding at the Sanctuary.
1.4. Lead compliance with the Charity’s Health & Safety, and other relevant policies, ensuring appropriate inductions, training and reporting are in place.

Duties
1.1. Management
i. To line manage the Equine Supervisor and Grooms ensuring they provide the best possible care for our horses. This will include setting objectives, co-ordinating daily activities, monitoring progress, arranging rosters and leave, managing appraisals and any other relevant HR related administration.

ii. To line manage the Community Supervisor and Community Assistants ensuring they are delivering our community work to the highest standard. This will include setting objectives, co-ordinating daily activities, monitoring progress, arranging rosters and leave, managing appraisals and any other relevant HR related administration.

iii. Attend any relevant meetings, including the Senior Leadership Team, as directed by the General Manager.

iv. Lead and monitor the team’s compliance with Safeguarding and other relevant policies ensuring all members of the team are aware of their requirements. Take the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead reporting to the Designated Safeguarding Lead in all matters regarding Safeguarding at the Sanctuary.

v. Adhere and lead the team’s compliance with Health & Safety and Fire Policies as well as any other Charity policies as deemed appropriate by the General Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Founding Trustee or the Chairman.

vi. In conjunction with the Equine Supervisor, ensure that all necessary Health & Safety inductions
are carried out.

vii. In conjunction with the General Manager and lead volunteers, manage the volunteering and
work experience activities on site, ensuring maximum volunteer engagement and appropriate
and timely administration.

1.2. Site Management
i. In conjunction with the Equine Supervisor, Community Supervisor and any other relevant
colleagues, manage the routine maintenance tasks on site, scheduling and monitoring their
completion.

ii. Liaise with the Equine Supervisor, the General Manager and any relevant external contractors
on decisions surrounding field work and field maintenance e.g. spraying, harrowing.

iii. Manage the stock of feeds, medication and other materials held on site, liaising with the
General Manager regarding replenishment and budgetary monitoring.

iv. Monitor the condition of the Charity’s vehicles and machinery and ensure appropriate routines
and reporting procedures are in place. Manage routine and unscheduled maintenance liaising
with the General Manager as required.

v. Working with the General Manager, Fundraising team and Community team as appropriate,
assist in the organisation of all on-site events.

1.3. Equine & Animal Care
i. In conjunction with the Equine Supervisor, monitor the wellbeing and rehabilitation of the
horses on site, reporting back to the General Manager on a monthly basis or as directed.

ii. In conjunction with the Equine Supervisor, liaise with external professionals including vets,
barefoot trimmers, dentists and equine manual therapists, to book appointments and
recording information ensuring that treatment and visits are conducted in a timely manner.

iii. Manage the relationship with guardians of any rehomed or loaned horses.

iv. Manage any out of hours horse care that may be required in conjunction with the Equine
Supervisor.

v. Manage the completion of any relevant horse records, ensuring that all information pertaining
to professional visits, health, incidents and behavioural development of the horses is
completed and current.

1.4. Community Work
i. Manage the community diary and complete any relevant administration including preparation
of contracts, risk assessments, terms and conditions and all relevant consents.

ii. Organise the staffing of all community sessions in conjunction with the Community Supervisor
and Equine Supervisor where relevant.

iii. Act as the main point of contact for community groups including but not limited to schools,
care homes and private referrals.

iv. Actively engage with local groups and schools to explore opportunities for general visits and
educational sessions to be held either at the Sanctuary or on the group premises. This may
include visiting such stakeholders to present information on the Charity.

v. In conjunction with the Community Supervisor investigate new opportunities for community work, organising staffing and resources as appropriate.

vi. Ensure the Community Supervisor and Equine Supervisor arrange suitable horse interaction requirements each week, with optimum consideration to the horses’ wellbeing.

vii. In conjunction with the General Manager and Community Supervisor, produce testimonials and reports for grant applications and funders.

viii. Ensure that all information relating to children and vulnerable persons (whether paper footage or downloaded video/photographic footage) is appropriately stored and locked away on site.

ix. Assist in the continued development of opportunities possible at the Sanctuary, working with the General Manager, Founding Trustee and Chairman to maximise potential.

1.5. Other Duties
i. Act as a first aider of the site.

ii. Undertake any other reasonable activities in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the General Manager.